Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Okay, so I went to the doctors on Friday. I got my bloodwork done and everything looks good. I was self medicating kinda... But I'm glad I didn't hurt myself in the process. But while I was there I asked to be switched to self injections. Since they are all around better. (IMO)

So I went to get the script filled today at the pharmacy, apparently I have to go to a special pharmacy since it is a compound. So, I couldn't go to my normal one I have been going to for almost a year and I assume know what the situation is. So when I initially drop off my script I get this really nice girl who is super helpful, but still kind of giving me the one eyebrow raised like "OMG I GET TO SEE ONE". Well thats what my brain tells me they are thinking. The problem is when I picked up the script.

Pharmacist: "Okay so I have to ask, whats this for?"
Me: "Uhmm, its for hormone replacement therapy..."
Pharmacist: "Well that may be true but the dosage is pretty high, even for HRT"
Me: "Well that is what the doctor prescribed, you can call and varify if you like."
Pharmacist: "No, your doctor confirmed the dose its just for some reason he is giving you the dose of a woman"
Me: At this point I am in a what the **** state. "That is the point I'm on HRT"
Pharmacist: "I understand but the dosage is still higher then it should be."
Me: "I'm on HRT because I'm transgender"
Pharmacist: "THATS WHAT I WANTED" ..."lets go ring you up"

Are they allowed to grill me about this? Has anyone else had this happen too? To his credit, I don't think he was intentionally prying for me to say that. I think he was really just trying to figure out why my dose is that high. But, I don't think thats for him to figure out if the doctor has already confirmed the dose. ???

<3 Liv

My two cents worth: He got his answer, you got your medication, tomorrow's a new day. Let's enjoy it! Hugs, Devlyn

.

I don't think that's necessary at all. If it happened to me, I would email the pharmacy. If your doctor wrote the script and it's verified, it shouldn't matter what the script is for.

I've had an experience somewhat like this but I didn't play their game, I just left... I lost my health insurance and thought, I bet Wal-Mart's pharmacy is the best value, right? Took my scripts in and I got a nice women who said I could go shop and they would be ready in 30 minutes. When I returned I was greeted by a very rude head pharmacist who insisted that the dosage didn't make sense and she couldn't fill it. It was quit embarrassing since 3 other employees decided to stand there staring me down.

Quote from: kkut on June 03, 2013, 09:07:12 PM
Based on your avatar, he had to ask?  :D

Apparently so  ::) I am really starting to get some strange looks dressed as a male. Maybe I should have said that I was presenting as a male in this situation. I am still not full time yet. :-X

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2013, 08:57:29 PM
My two cents worth: He got his answer, you got your medication, tomorrow's a new day. Let's enjoy it! Hugs, Devlyn

You are very right. I'm not terribly miffed from his interrogation. I just thought it was a bit innapropriate... :-\

<3 Liv

Quote from: iiii on June 03, 2013, 09:08:37 PM
Doesn't really justify that mistreatment... If it counts as it, that sounded really personally invasive.

I was relating how I would react. Next time in I'd flash a big smile and say "I'm still transgender". I try to get along with people, it's not for everyone, iiii. I understand that.

Quote from: Michelle S. on June 03, 2013, 09:11:06 PM
I don't think that's necessary at all. If it happened to me, I would email the pharmacy. If your doctor wrote the script and it's verified, it shouldn't matter what the script is for.

I've had an experience somewhat like this but I didn't play their game, I just left... I lost my health insurance and thought, I bet Wal-Mart's pharmacy is the best value, right? Took my scripts in and I got a nice women who said I could go shop and they would be ready in 30 minutes. When I returned I was greeted by a very rude head pharmacist who insisted that the dosage didn't make sense and she couldn't fill it. It was quit embarrassing since 3 other employees decided to stand there staring me down.

The problem is that I had no idea if he was within his rights or not at the time. I thought he was overstepping a little bit. He had my script filled already with my name on it and everything while he was asking me this. Dunno, honestly I was caught off guard a little bit as well. Like an "is this really happening right now" type reaction.

<3 Liv

I think it's inappropriate as well, but they might question all high doses of everything.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2013, 09:14:37 PM
I was relating how I would react. Next time in I'd flash a big smile and say "I'm still transgender". I try to get along with people, it's not for everyone, iiii. I understand that.

I feel the same way Devlyn. I just wasn't really expecting the conversation. I think those drugs kind of say I'm trans for me. But I guess some people don't think so. In any case they made a note in my file, and its now automatically filled. So I just have to pick it up when they call next time.

<3 Liv

Quote from: Olivia-Anne on June 03, 2013, 09:15:09 PM
The problem is that I had no idea if he was within his rights or not at the time. I thought he was overstepping a little bit. He had my script filled already with my name on it and everything while he was asking me this. Dunno, honestly I was caught off guard a little bit as well. Like an "is this really happening right now" type reaction.

<3 Liv

I think you handled it very well - better than I would have, I'm sure! I agree with above, you don't look like you should have been questioned at all!!!! :)

Quote from: Olivia-Anne on June 03, 2013, 09:15:09 PM
The problem is that I had no idea if he was within his rights or not at the time. I thought he was overstepping a little bit. He had my script filled already with my name on it and everything while he was asking me this. Dunno, honestly I was caught off guard a little bit as well. Like an "is this really happening right now" type reaction.

<3 Liv

It sounds like the dosage threw him. Better to have someone who knows drugs throw up a red flag if something looks amiss, no?

He had no right to get you to admit to being trans. For all he knows you might have some rare hormonal disorder which requires said meds in said dosages. The HRT explanation should have been more than sufficient. After that, I would have referred him to my doc... or called my doc and asked to have the scripts sent to another pharmacy. Ignorance and rudeness sometimes know no bounds. It's none of his business what you are being treated for and why. That's why it's called a doctor patient relationship... not a doctor, pharmacist, patient relationship.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2013, 09:18:53 PM
It sounds like the dosage threw him. Better to have someone who knows drugs throw up a red flag if something looks amiss, no?

I think you're right but he went beyond that. He didn't need to go further than, "No, your doctor confirmed the dose." At that point it's like duh you see it on the script and you heard from the doctor that this is what he/she is prescribing. I think this was clearly a case of inappropriate questioning, especially when he says, "Pharmacist: "THATS WHAT I WANTED" ..."lets go ring you up."

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2013, 09:18:53 PM
It sounds like the dosage threw him. Better to have someone who knows drugs throw up a red flag if something looks amiss, no?

Without question. I was actually pleased when he said "but this dose is for a woman."  ;D Yes... yes it is ;D

<3 Liv

Quote from: Michelle S. on June 03, 2013, 09:18:40 PM
I think you handled it very well - better than I would have, I'm sure! I agree with above, you don't look like you should have been questioned at all!!!! :)

:D Thanks for the compliment.

<3 Liv

P.S. OMG this needle is huuuge...  :'(

I used to work in a pharmacy. If dosages have been confirmed from the doctor him/herself, a pharmacist is obligated to fill it, and hand it over. The ONLY thing they are supposed to do from there is ask if you need instructions or have any questions about side effects or potential interactions.

In simpler terms, coming from a formerly Certified Pharmacy Technician, the pharmacist was an intrusive ass.

Quote from: Adrian_Michael on June 03, 2013, 09:25:46 PM
I used to work in a pharmacy. If dosages have been confirmed from the doctor him/herself, a pharmacist is obligated to fill it, and hand it over. The ONLY thing they are supposed to do from there is ask if you need instructions or have any questions about side effects or potential interactions.

In simpler terms, coming from a formerly Certified Pharmacy Technician, the pharmacist was an intrusive ass.

Exactly what I was looking for, Thank you.

<3 Liv

Quote from: Olivia-Anne on June 03, 2013, 09:28:13 PM
Exactly what I was looking for, Thank you.

<3 Liv

No problem, dear. Glad to be able to give that insight. I feel like I should apologize for his behavior, even though I don't know him at all. That sort of behavior puts a dark smear on good pharmacists and pharm techs, and it just pisses me off  >:(

That sounds fishy to me.  Especially since he said "that's what I wanted".  Pretty odd response.  I could understand if you came in with a script for an insane supply of oxycotin at the highest dosages, but he shouldn't be asking about hrt meds.  Perhaps, he was concerned about your health and wasn't being malicious.  He could have thought the doctor made a mistake and wanted to make sure you would be okay.  However, even then, it's not his place to inquire about it.  Whether he has rights or not, I am uncertain.

A Pharmacist does not need a reason to issue your prescription.  You should always refer them to your health care provider.

Quote from: learningtolive on June 03, 2013, 09:31:00 PM
That sounds fishy to me.  Especially since he said "that's what I wanted".  Pretty odd response.  I could understand if you came in with a script for an insane supply of oxycotin at the highest dosages, but he shouldn't be asking about hrt meds.  Perhaps, he was concerned about your health and wasn't being malicious.  He could have thought the doctor made a mistake and wanted to make sure you would be okay.  However, even then, it's not his place to inquire about it.  Whether he has rights or not, I am uncertain.

Yea if anything that was the response that got a rise out of me really. Like an "AHA! I gotcha now my pretty!" I love Wizard of Oz  :laugh:

Quote from: Ms. OBrien CVT on June 03, 2013, 09:36:52 PM
A Pharmacist does not need a reason to issue your prescription.  You should always refer them to your health care provider.

He said that he confirmed it with the doctor, which was my initial cause for suspision.

Quote from: JennX on June 03, 2013, 09:21:59 PM
He had no right to get you to admit to being trans. For all he knows you might have some rare hormonal disorder which requires said meds in said dosages. The HRT explanation should have been more than sufficient. After that, I would have referred him to my doc... or called my doc and asked to have the scripts sent to another pharmacy. Ignorance and rudeness sometimes know no bounds. It's none of his business what you are being treated for and why. That's why it's called a doctor patient relationship... not a doctor, pharmacist, patient relationship.

Thats what I was thinking after it had happened. The whole thing just left me a little confused to say the least :-\

<3 Liv

I think that your pharmacists questions are more a matter of how things are changing today.   For example, take Walgreen's where I got my pneumonia shot without prescription and a shingles shot for which I need a prescription.   They are even giving flu shots.

Drug stores are being made more and more responsible for making sure that they are not breaking the law when they fill prescriptions.  Its really a problem with us transgenders because some druggists just don't when to quit.    I have not taken any hrt hormones yet and I am not sure that I will ever be able to afford them, so I have no personal experience myself.

My feeling is that if you find a friendly pharmacy that gets to know you because they are constantly filling your prescriptions there will be fewer problems.   This is just what I think.  I am out 24/7/365 in female appearance.   I feel that if, no one sees me any other way then I will have some measure of acceptance as an excentric if nothing else.   

Good luck.

I wasn't asked about my Rx when I first got them filled (at a drug store)...then I transferred them to a department store with a pharmacy, and the pharmacist said, "I understand about the Spiro, but why would you be taking Estrogen, that's for women?"

Me being me, I just told him..."I'm trans." I figure they're humans too, they're likely curious and perhaps play a "let's guess the diagnosis" game with each other. Oh well, as long as it stays in-house it doesn't bother me.

.

Quote from: iiii on June 03, 2013, 10:14:14 PM
I don't think he cared about safety... "THATS WHAT I WANTED" ..."lets go ring you up" he was either abusing his position to get answers he personally wanted or he wanted to feel like he was in authority... or both.
Or well, that's how I see it at least.

Next time it happens, just ask him/her..."Are you supposed to be asking that kind of question?"

If the pharmacist gets snotty about it (professionals should *never* get snotty), ask for his supervisor. Even if he/she is the "head honcho" in that particular pharmacy, I'm willing to bet the state/province you're in has some kind of ombudsman office for complaints like this.

A true professional will take the time to explain how and why they're asking the questions they are...patient privacy is an absolute cardinal rule. Pharmacists aren't trained to diagnose or prescribe meds.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on June 03, 2013, 10:25:50 PM
Next time it happens, just ask him/her..."Are you supposed to be asking that kind of question?"

If the pharmacist gets snotty about it (professionals should *never* get snotty), ask for his supervisor. Even if he/she is the "head honcho" in that particular pharmacy, I'm willing to bet the state/province you're in has some kind of ombudsman office for complaints like this.

Yea there are laws that protect me. I live in California, although not the most understanding part of it unfortunitialy. Oh on a little tangent, on friday the doctor told me that to change the gender marker on my ID I don't need surgury of anykind because it is at the state level. But for social security and I think birth certificate I need GRS. He also said that when it comes time to do that and the name stuff he will provide the necessary documents. I thought that was pretty cool. I thought it would be a couple years to get that marker changed, turns out it might be a matter of months if all goes well! :D

<3 Liv

I had trouble with a pharmacist once. I was trying to refill my first T scrip, just a couple of weeks before I suddenly stopped being misgendered by anyone. So I guess he read me as female. Anyway, the scrip was less than six months old, but he told me that he couldn't legally refill it because T is Schedule II (uh, no, it's Schedule III, you ass).

When I'm pushed, I customarily become pigheaded without thinking about it, even when I'm in panic mode, which I was. I think my being obstructive did the trick. He said he would refill it as a favor to me...something stupid like that. Um, it's illegal, and you don't know me from Adam, but you're going to be nice and refill it anyway, and risk losing your job and your license? I don't think so. Don't jerk me around. (This is what I was thinking much later.)

For a long time, I thought he was just mixed up about how T is classified. Now I'm 99% certain that he was passing judgment on me and trying to get out of filling the prescription. I suppose I should have reported him, but the whole affair freaked me out so much that I didn't want to pursue it. After all, I might have been in the wrong, although I didn't think so. If a pharmacist pulled that kind of crap on me now, I would really let him have it. I've come a long way since then.

I never went back to that place, even though the alternative was a little less convenient. Maybe you should think about switching?

Most I've ever got was a

"Is this for you?"

However what he did is out of line. There is casual joking and smart assing and then there is over the line behavior, what he did was over it. If I ever did that to a customer my boss would chew me out.

The "OMG, I get to see one" is likely a reference to having the medication made on site, the old fashioned way.  It's sort of rare these days.

I also think it's possible he was just looking out for his customers. Especially if you were in male mode. Mistakes happen all the time in pharmacies. Maybe the 'that's what I was looking for' response was his making sure you were trans and not just some unfortunate guy about to grow breasts without his knowledge. It could be something akin to castration anxiety. He wanted to make sure you knew what you were in for. Not that it makes it right, but he could have checked with the physician when he saw your name and then was taken aback when he saw someone in male mode.
Not that he was right to question you, but he may have thought he was doing the right thing - potentially looking out for some unsuspecting guy, you know.

I think this is BS!!

Pre name change I was only asked if "he" in the third person lol has taken this before and does "he" have any questions....it was nice to finally get it in my new name and be asked if "I" had any questions.

I don't like the fact that when I do pick up my RX they seem to get it for me without asking my name first....they do confirm my name though.

I get insecure that people remember me so easily....is it because I'm trans??? The one day this happened I mentioned my insecurities with my therapist...she laughed cause the same thing happened to her that morning when she picked up an RX....she also felt a little insecure....and she IS NOT trans!!!

Sounds to me that policy may dictate that with that high of a dose that he needed to hear it from your mouth that you are transgendered. If not, he was being rather rude. If so, he could have just out and out asked you if you were transgendered a little more discreetly than he did by beating around the bush.

Quote from: Jess42 on June 04, 2013, 12:31:46 PM
Sounds to me that policy may dictate that with that high of a dose that he needed to hear it from your mouth that you are transgendered. If not, he was being rather rude. If so, he could have just out and out asked you if you were transgendered a little more discreetly than he did by beating around the bush.

But by asking he is directly questioning the doctor's competency. He even called the doctor and the doctor confirmed. That should have been it. I have had several bad experiences with pharmacists when filling medications so I am biased but a lot of times these people think they are holier than thou. He has no right to ask if you a trans. None. It is not his business. The only thing he should have done is explain the effects of the medication.

It is prob not a HIPPA violation as a patient-provider relationship exists. But there had to be a reason for his inquiry...

Quote from: Not-so Fat Admin on June 04, 2013, 07:21:34 AM
I also think it's possible he was just looking out for his customers. Especially if you were in male mode. Mistakes happen all the time in pharmacies. Maybe the 'that's what I was looking for' response was his making sure you were trans and not just some unfortunate guy about to grow breasts without his knowledge. It could be something akin to castration anxiety. He wanted to make sure you knew what you were in for. Not that it makes it right, but he could have checked with the physician when he saw your name and then was taken aback when he saw someone in male mode.
Not that he was right to question you, but he may have thought he was doing the right thing - potentially looking out for some unsuspecting guy, you know.

^This actually makes the most sense and is probably the reason. Maybe he just wanted to make sure you're trans as that would be the only reason for it. Most men consider becoming a woman the worst thing imaginable. Look at all the war movies where some guy kills some other guy who could live because his penis got blown off. I mean if he was happy and kind when asking and in general it's really okay. I think it depends on his demeanor. When you told him your trans was he okay with it or did he give you the crook eye?

Quote from: Not-so Fat Admin on June 04, 2013, 07:21:34 AM
I also think it's possible he was just looking out for his customers. Especially if you were in male mode. Mistakes happen all the time in pharmacies. Maybe the 'that's what I was looking for' response was his making sure you were trans and not just some unfortunate guy about to grow breasts without his knowledge. It could be something akin to castration anxiety. He wanted to make sure you knew what you were in for. Not that it makes it right, but he could have checked with the physician when he saw your name and then was taken aback when he saw someone in male mode.
Not that he was right to question you, but he may have thought he was doing the right thing - potentially looking out for some unsuspecting guy, you know.

That's what I'm inclined to think. When I got my first prescription(after self medding for a few years) the pharmacist asked me if I knew what that medication would do to me just to be sure that I was ok with it. I think they may be doing it to put themselves at ease with dispensing something that can bring profound changes for someone and they just want to be sure that the patient is aware of it. 

Quote from: Michelle S. on June 03, 2013, 09:11:06 PM...3 other employees decided to stand there staring me down.

These two examples make me mad. >:|

Quote from: kkut on June 04, 2013, 01:41:38 PM
So they thought you were just some pretty girl picking up your guy friend's meds?  I wish that would happen to me.  :(  ;)

Ya! though I don't think it was some "pretty girl" lol....It was a bit awkward though since it was very early in my transition and I was still presenting male!! I was getting mis-gendered enough to know it may happen at anytime....but it was always awkward when it did happen.

The only time I had a pharmacist ask me anything was when I went on finasteride.....the young man asked me very nicely why I was taking this.....he said women usually don't take this....I told him it was for personal health reasons. I'm not sure what his reason for asking this was. Was it because he was concerned?? or was it he sensed something or.......was he trying to get to know me better...Ya sure!!!